Milestone Photography

New Beginnings & Milestones

I am honored when I have the chance to photograph the new beginnings and milestones of a growing family. Each new addition gives me more moments, more love, and more memories to lock in time for the family to reminisce over forever. It seemed just like yesterday that I was asked to capture the new life of one of my incredible families of five, and now she has turned one!

Mom asked for something vintage and minimal to compliment a crystal-beaded headband and a focus of grey with the family. The simplicity of a mirror reflection turned out to be a favorite of mine from this year.

Then in the blink of an eye, one year rolls around and we played with the color pink in a Bolingbrook park. We worked with the mirror once again and we brought out some smiles using bubbles and balloons.

In between some one-year-old tears, we caught the genuine affection that this family has for each other in so many colorful images.

I look forward to capturing this family’s milestones for many years to come!

A Vintage First Birthday

I captured Grace’s first birthday portraits in the comfort of her Schaumburg living room. The vintage theme was a request once Grace’s mother viewed our blog Minnie Mouse First Birthday. The session took on a custom feel with the use of the barn wood background. While it took a little time for Grace to warm up, the beads, phone and mirror always help the little ones forget they are being photographed and presents the opportunity to catch their genuine personalities.

Using some personal items during Grace’s session not only helped to create timeless images, but it also made her feel more comfortable.

Family snuggles brought out Grace’s giggles.

It is always fun to end with cake!

Minnie Mouse First Birthday

A child’s first birthday is magical. As they become more toddler than baby, the entire world is of interest to them, to explore, touch, taste… and often climb!

I met this cutie through a customer referral. We started the birthday milestone session with some vintage shots, then captured her birthday theme: Minnie Mouse. The best part? All of these photos were taken in their own family kitchen. which means a more comfortable setting for their little one – and they were already home for nap time!

Her parents were thrilled with how easily she warmed up to me and the camera, although I’ll give some credit to fun props like mirrors and of course, cake!

To wrap things up, we took a simple shot of a “thank you” sign that could be paired with a picture of the birthday girl for extra adorable, personalized thank you notes.

Additional time for cake clean-up was, of course, free of charge… even if she didn’t save me a piece.

Want to remember your little one’s first birthday with a smash cake? Contact me today and let’s talk themes! I have a broad catalog of studio props that can easily pair with your ideas.

Newborn Photography: Bringing the Studio to You

With a new baby at home, getting out the door with all of your gear can be quite the endeavor. Because newborns sleep and eat so often, timing your photo shoot can also be a challenge.

To help make sure the entire family is comfortable and has what they need, I will often bring my studio to clients. While we don’t need a large space to set up, it is important to consider access to natural light. For newborn sessions at home, indirect natural light is preferred but not necessary.

I staged this session in the client’s living room, taking advantage of large windows that allowed for fantastic natural light. Paired with some of my simple vintage props with soft colors, the result was gorgeous images that still kept the focus on the family in each shots.

All of that said, this sweet little angel made it easy!

A Colorful First Birthday Smash

Last week, I shared some tips to make your milestone photography sessions go perfectly. Now, I’m excited to share just how fun these pictures can be!

Recently, the K family came to the Plainfield studio all the way from Indiana! When we discussed their session, they were hoping to set up a shabby chic first birthday shoot.

I pulled together props from my catalog: A vintage vanity mirror, a french telephone, a suitcase and some beads and a magenta damask background. The purple ruffled outfit they brought fit beautifully.

For the smash cake, I provided balloons and a banner, while the cake, tutu and headband gave the pictures great colors while still keeping the emphasis on the birthday girl’s sweet face.

The pictures speak for themselves. We had a great time, and it shows in the results!

Got your own session ideas? Let’s talk!

Milestone Photography Tips For Pictures You’ll Love

Everyone loves to capture their little ones’ milestones. These sessions can be a lot of fun for both you and your kids and are a great opportunity to personalize your session.

No matter what your family’s style, we can create images that you will love. Here are a few tips from some of our best sessions:

Let them play! My goal is to capture your child’s personality and genuine expressions. One thing that is consistent is that kids love to wiggle. Don’t worry if they don’t want to stay posed. The more fun they have, the bigger their smiles!

Birthday cakes: decorate the tops AND sides. I photograph from a variety of perspectives to capture your kiddo’s expressions. Get that color to pop no matter the angle! For the same reason, cakes without words on top can be easier to use.
Plan ahead and talk to me about your ideas. I love original approaches. And, I might already have the perfect props in my studio to make your theme come together. I work hard to personalize sessions and will often invest in new items to get it right. That’s why my catalog is always growing!

Use the color wheel. No matter how great your theme, you always want your child to stand out most from the scene. Reference the color wheel to implement some easy color theory. For example, if you choose a blue background, consider wearing oranges and reds.